Federal NDP
New Democrats call for committee inquiry into crisis at Rights & Democracy
OTTAWA – An international backlash against Conservative meddling at Rights and Democracy is yet another reason to conduct an inquiry into the crisis at the organization, says New Democrat Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar.
“The international community is condemning the Conservative government for trying to infect Rights and Democracy with its ideology,” says Dewar. “This is a devastating blow to Canada’s reputation on the international stage – it’s time for parliament to take action.”
Statement by New Democrat leader Jack Layton on International Women’s Day
Women and men around the world recognize International Women's Day as a time to reflect upon and celebrate women’s social, political and economic achievements, both globally and locally. In this country, much progress has been made since Canadians first marked International Women’s Day in 1977.
Sadly, there is still much work to be done. Women across the world continue to suffer extreme poverty, violence and violations of their basic human rights.
Conservatives put oil companies before kids
OTTAWA –Stephen Harper has made it clear that he plans to once again put oil companies before Canadian children, says New Democrat Children and Childcare Critic Olivia Chow (Trinity—Spadina).
“This budget clearly demonstrates where Stephen Harper’s priorities lie. Billions in corporate tax cuts for oil companies while childcare and childhood nutrition are ignored,” says Chow.
What they are saying: Harper’s budget choices fail Canadians
Budgets are about choices. But the one delivered by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty yesterday chose to give billions in corporate tax giveaways to profitable banks and oil companies while ignoring the priorities of pensioners, the jobless and hardworking Canadians.
Here’s what they are saying:
“In the end all CARP members got from this budget are some nice words and the promise of more consultation.” – Susan Eng, Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), March 4, 2010
Budget bad news for public safety
OTTAWA – The Harper government’s priorities for public safety are misguided, wasteful and ineffective says New Democrat Public Safety Critic Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway).
“The Conservative plan is to spend 43% more on building prisons,” said Davies. “They are pushing a US-style approach that is expensive and totally ineffective at bringing down the crime rate.”
The Conservative spending plan tabled this week shows a 43% increase in the budget for prison construction, from $230 million in 09/10 to $329 million in 10/11.
US-style mega-prisons wrong for Canada
OTTAWA – The Harper government’s priorities for public safety are misguided, wasteful and ineffective says New Democrat Public Safety Critic Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway).
“The Conservative plan is to spend 43% more on building prisons,” said Davies. “They are pushing a US-style approach that is expensive and totally ineffective at bringing down the crime rate.”
The Conservative spending plan tabled this week shows a 43% increase in the budget for prison construction, from $230 million in 09/10 to $329 million in 10/11.
Harper’s Choices 2010: Conservatives hike your taxes, cut the banks' taxes
Budgets are about choices.
And with middle-class Canadians working harder to make ends meet, Stephen Harper had an opportunity to give them some much needed relief.
But instead, he chose to increase payroll taxes that individuals and their employers pay by $19 billion. At the same time, Stephen Harper announced $5 billion in new spending to cut corporate taxes, a third of which will go exclusively to the big banks and big oil companies.
Harper’s Choices 2010: Conservatives gut environmental protection
Budgets are about choices.
With record level smog and pollution, and growing concern over air and water quality throughout Canada, Stephen Harper had an opportunity in the 2010 budget to crack down on big polluters and bring in effective environmental protection laws.
But instead, he chose to reward polluters and take a pass on reigning in his big oil friends in the tar sands.
Harper’s budget makes it easier for companies to pollute by slashing environmental regulations even further.
Harper’s budget further weakens environmental protection by:
Harper’s Choices 2010: Conservatives ignore pensioners
Budgets are about choices.
And with seniors’ poverty doubling and countless workplace pension plans failing each month, Stephen Harper had an opportunity in the 2010 budget to protect our seniors and the retirement savings of hard-working Canadians.
But instead, he chose to allocate billions in new spending to lower the tax rate for Canada’s most profitable corporations, a third of which goes directly to the banks and oil companies.
Victims of recession lose out, banks win big in new budget
OTTAWA – People who lost their jobs and other victims of this recession are the losers in this budget while banks whose profits just doubled hit the jackpot, said New Democrat Leader Jack Layton.
“Budgets are about choices. Mr. Harper has chosen to enrich banks and oil companies, the most profitable corporations in the country, with billions in spending on corporate tax cuts rather than help lift seniors out of poverty by increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Instead, they are promising nothing more than to consult seniors about their poverty. That`s not help. That`s a stalling tactic.
Reality check: The “have we learned nothing from prorogation?” edition
The Harper Conservatives have a message for all those Canadians hoping for a change in the government’s recent arrogant and autocratic behavior: get ready for more.
The latest example of running rough shod over democracy comes courtesy of Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon who announced yesterday—at 10:46pm no less— that Gérard Latulippe will be the next president of the troubled Rights and Democracy (International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development).
The self-employed now have access to special Employment Insurance benefits
OTTAWA – Self-employed workers in Canada can now register voluntarily for the Employment Insurance plan in order to qualify for parental, maternity, sickness and compassionate care benefits. Yvon Godin (Acadie-Bathurst) encourages the self-employed to register quickly, in order to be able to use this improved system if the need arises.
Notes Mr Godin: “The New Democratic Party has been asking the government for years to include the self-employed in the Employment Insurance scheme. There is still room for improvement in the system, but this is a step in the right direction.”
Don't write gay community out of Canadian history
OTTAWA- New Democrats are calling on Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney to immediately apologize for censoring references to gay history and gay rights from the latest edition of the Citizenship study guide.
New Democrats propose help for laid-off aviation workers
Following today’s lay-off announcement of more than 1,000 Air Canada machinists, New Democrats are proposing measures which would help these workers and their families in these tough economic times.
“With our economy still on shaky foundations, we need to make sure that we are proactive to help lessen the damage caused by these layoffs,” said New Democrat Deputy Leader Thomas Mulcair (Outremont). “This isn’t just about 1,000 workers, but a choice by our government to put jobs first in our economic recovery.”
The New Democrats propose that the government:
Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons requesting emergency debate on prorogation
Dear Mr. Speaker:
I write to you today to inform you of my request to hold an emergency debate on recent advice given by the Prime Minister to Her Excellency, the Governor General, requesting that the second session of the 40th parliament be prorogued. I do not make this request out of any question of the role of Her Excellency, but rather because I believe the judgement of the Prime Minister in offering such advice was deeply flawed.
Statement by New Democrat leader Jack Layton on the closing of the 2010 Olympic winter games in Vancouver
What a time to be Canadian!
The heart-stopping overtime goal that brought men’s hockey gold back to Canada was the perfect finish to a historic Winter Games for our country.
As Canadians from coast to coast to coast poured out into the streets to celebrate the gold medal win at the hockey game, it was clear that the celebration was about much more than that single victory. It wasn’t even just that Canada’s fourteen gold medals is one more than any other country has ever won at a Winter Olympic Games. We were united with pride and a sense of accomplishment.
Statement by New Democrat leader Jack Layton on the earthquake in Chile
On behalf of the New Democratic Party, I convey my deepest sympathies to the Chilean people as they recover and cope with the devastating 8.8-magnitude earthquake on Saturday. Aftershocks are still being felt and Tsunami warnings were issued around the Pacific Rim. An estimated 700 people are dead, with over two million affected. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone touched by this tragedy.
Angus calls out Minister Prentice for failing to protect Canadian heritage
TIMMINS – Forty-one pre-confederation heritage buildings in the city of Brantford are about the be demolished, and the minister responsible for protecting Canada’s built heritage has done nothing to stop it; in fact, a fellow cabinet minister is using $1.38 million of ‘stimulus’ to make it happen.
2010 Budget Choices: Layton calls for seniors’ plan approved by Parliament
Next week’s federal budget will make important choices.
The Conservatives are promising more of the failed old policies of the past with a “stay the course” budget that will include billions in new spending to pad the bottom lines and bonuses of Canada’s most profitable companies, including the banks.
Jack Layton and the New Democrats have different priorities that include better help for our country’s poorest seniors.
Why help seniors instead of banks right now?
Layton reponds to proposed appointment of Latulippe
OTTAWA – New Democrat Leader Jack Layton has sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon in response to a request for feedback on the proposed appointment of Mr. Gérard Latulippe as President of Rights & Democracy.
Dear Minister:
I am writing in response to your letter of February 22 regarding the proposed appointment of Mr. Gérard Latulippe as President of Rights & Democracy (International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development).
